The MCL Grand Main Gallery will feature the paintings and drawings of Eilene Carver from June 23- July 29, 2017, with the opening reception Friday, June 23rd from 7-9pm. Gallery Hours T-Sat 10-5pm.

Eilene Carver is a South Texas native. She earned her BFA in Design from Baylor University and
her MFA in painting from UC Berkeley. Her pieces have received awards and been included in
national and regional exhibitions since 1986; including such venues as Laguna Gloria Museum in
Austin, The Berkeley Art Center, Women’s Museum of Dallas, San Antonio Museum of Art,
Michael Himovitz Gallery and the Graham Horstman Gallery.

Her work is included in public and private collections throughout the United States.
Eilene has taught drawing and painting at, Napa Valley College and the Richmond Art Center, as
well as conducting artist workshops in Thailand and Russia. She is currently a professor at Collin
College.

The works of this artist are particularly relevant given the almost daily occurrence of violence
directed at individuals or groups in public venues that in previous decades would be considered
safe; schools, concerts, public rally’s, nightclubs and sporting events. Her message regarding
these issues is, “if ignored, we are all possible “Targets.”

Artist statement:

“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. “
-Aristotle

This series is a departure from my illusionary still lives, more graphic in quality and addressing
an overtly controversial topic. Remaining is the use of symbolism to address subjects in a
surreptitious manner.

Sandy Hook served as a sort of ‘final straw.’ I sat quiet long enough after Columbine and
various similar events unfolded. I was compelled to express my feelings regarding the effects
of these experiences. The thought of ‘Small Targets’ originally came from the heartbreaking
stories of the Stockton school shooting, which took place a mere thirty minutes from UC
Berkeley where I was a graduate student. An ever-growing occurrence, I remain as shocked at
the thought of children as “targets” as I was that day. As I researched, google maps of school
shootings are filled with drop pins too numerous to count. Overlapping pins block history of
previous events, a parallel to overloaded consciousness, we collectively forget the impact of
each personal loss.

The Target was an obvious symbol to represent the random acts of violence that have become
all too commonplace. It is immediately recognizable and universally suggests a predator setting
aim on a focused subject. When I began my research three years ago, the intended topic was
school shootings – unfathomable small targets. However, as I worked through the initial
concepts, the series evolved into a broader depiction. I started to consider the more expansive
concepts of targeted violence such as: Black Lives Matter, the Pulse nightclub massacre, the
July 7th Dallas Police shootings, the Holocaust and other forms of religious persecution.
The layering of content is as interesting to me as the layers of brushstrokes. This combined
focus is ever engaging for me as a painter. Expressing the effects of light and color on forms is
a constant in my process, no matter the subject. Specific to this series, I purposed strong
physical surface texture to suggest a subtext of tumultuous movement and mood.

Aesthetically, the works that represent a specific shooting are intentionally uncomfortable,
many of these developed over a collaged target. Concerning myself less with a formally
pleasing composition, instead blatantly displaying the message over a target or ‘X’ form which
extends from one end of the canvas to the other. Unintentionally, these works developed
much darker palettes than planned, possibly due to the level of emotional involvement in their
creation. Some of the small Targets works treat the subject symbolically. These works evolved
into a more static, calm, formal space; some even contain pleasing colors and imagery.

As always, I strive for my work to be visually interesting while inspiring an introspective search for meaning. I very much agree with Max Beckman who stated, “In order to get something universal you must be very specific.” I don’t presume to provide solutions to this complicated dilemma. I desire to stir awareness to the tragic losses and hope these works spur open dialogue regarding what can be done to prevent the excessive incidents of gun violence. If ignored, we are all possible “Targets.”

About the MCL Grand Theater & Center for the Creative Arts The MCL Grand is a multi-purpose facility supporting numerous arts groups in the Greater Lewisville area by providing state of the art spaces for artists to perform and display their works. In addition, each year the Grand hosts regional & national exhibits. The arts community benefits from the availability of generous classroom space for artists workshops and meetings.

The facility features a 296-seat theater with acoustics designed for both speech and music, a 2,200-square foot professional art gallery, a 2,400-square foot dance recital hall, 3,000 square foot black box theater and 1, 750 square feet of classrooms. The MCL Grand is in the heart of Old Lewisville, a newly revived destination spot with numerous trendy eateries and taverns surrounding Wayne Ferguson Plaza, urban park with easy access to Dart Rail, yellow line and I-35. MCL Grand 100 N. Charles Street, Lewisville, TX 75057.

Only original 2D and 3D art work (oil, watercolors, acrylics, pastel, mixed media, collage, drawing, prints, photography, ceramics, textiles, fiber, encaustic, jewelry and sculpture) created in the last two (2) years which has not previously been shown in any VAL juried exhibit will be considered for inclusion in the show. Original means works conceived and created by the artist and not created in a classroom setting. The maximum size of entries into this year’s competition is 50” x 50” including the frame. All 3D artwork must be able to sit on a pedestal no larger than 20” x 14”” or on the floor. Artists may submit up to three (3) pieces for consideration. Submissions of entries into the show will be via Callforentry.org (https://www.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=4341) and must meet the requirements of that site for size and type of image that is accepted.

Awards
• 1st Place Winner will receive a cash prize of $1,000 and a solo show in summer 2018 at the MCL Grand
art gallery in Lewisville.
• 2nd Place $500
• 3rd Place $250
• Two Honorable Mentions $150 each
• People’s Choice Award $100

Permanent link to this article: http://artgroupsdfw.com/competitions-calls-for-entries/fresh-ideas-2017-show-from-the-visual-art-league-of-lewisville/

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